We were lucky to catch up with Ryan Sheehy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ryan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

By far, the biggest hot-button topic in the film industry is artificial intelligence. Based on my pool of industry friends, opinions are split 50/50. Some people love it, and some people hate it. Personally, I think the initial reaction to A.I. is based on fear, which is induced by the very thing we are creating in the film industry. Films like “Terminator,” “The Matrix,” or “Ex Machina” come from the imaginations of writers who created sinister A.I. scenarios. By proxy, we believe the same thing will happen to us.

I’ve listened to interviews with people like Sam Altman, who says A.I. won’t take your job but the person using A.I. will. George Lucas compares A.I. to the innovations of digital effects via his company Industrial Light & Magic, or more simply to the industrial revolution and automobiles.

I believe A.I. should only be used as a tool that should not operate autonomously. For any kind of art I want to experience, I want human intervention. I want humanity and the motivation behind the art. We are already experiencing mass-produced media made without love or passion from major studios. Hollywood has never had a shortage of capitalists trying to make a buck. However, I believe, just like with digital cameras and mobile phone cameras, we will see a wave of artists who are self-taught and achieve high levels of self-expression through the efficiencies and capabilities that A.I. can bring to its users.

Ryan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve only recently accept the title of filmmaker. For a long time, I was in the commercial and music industry, honing my skills and learning all aspects of the craft. This was essential to me in the early 2010s, as I explored each department to see what I enjoyed. I spent most of the decade producing and directing commercials and music videos for clients big and small. Despite hundreds of projects under my belt, I still didn’t feel like a filmmaker. I realized I was good at executing projects for others, but none of the stories truly belonged to me.

Everything changed in 2017 when I produced my first film—a short called “Abortion Desert” about two friends contemplating a 600-mile road trip to a Planned Parenthood. This project was transformative, igniting my desire to dedicate all my energy to telling compelling human stories. I realized that my skills as a writer and director enabled me to be an intentional, creative producer. The artistic taste I’d cultivated over the years, combined with my industry contacts and execution abilities, proved to be a powerful combination. My journey, which began with an array of short films, anthology series, and sketch comedies, naturally progressed to full-length feature films.

My first feature as a producer was a little league baseball documentary. The second was a sci-fi action film inspired by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, the book “Roadside Picnic”, and the video game “STALKER”. My latest feature, produced this summer [to be announced], explores a character grappling with chronic depression fueled by nihilism and the intimate relationships with those trying to help. Beyond my producer credits, I’m currently developing my second feature script, slated for filming in Q1 of 2025—a project that will mark my feature directorial debut.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Production is all about having the ability to think and act fast. Inevitably, roadblocks will appear, likely in every department and sometimes all at once. Being able to pivot is a skill that will allow you to accomplish your goals and projects.

Recently, on the final day of shooting my latest feature film, we were wrapping up our last scenes. One of these was a pivotal fight scene at night featuring stunts and breakaway glass—the works. With my producer’s mind juggling multiple tasks, I checked the call sheet and noticed one of our stunt actors hadn’t arrived. I called and texted him—no response.

The clock was ticking, and we needed our performer immediately. I gathered my team to devise a plan. My Assistant Director rescheduled the scene to the end of the day, my director specified the type of actor needed, and my stunt coordinator and I scoured our contacts for suitable replacements.

In an hours time, we found an excellent stunt fighter willing to step in at the last minute. My stunt coordinator efficiently rehearsed the sequence with the actors, trained our new performer, and we captured the scene.

The ability to pivot is a vital filmmaking skill that develops over time. Each obstacle we face adds new tools to our problem-solving toolkit for future challenges.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey began in childhood, driven by curiosity about the world and everything in it. While time can either diminish or expand that curiosity in people, mine has only grown stronger. The films I produce and direct stem from my endless fascination with the world around me. I believe the best use of our time is learning about and building empathy for other people and cultures. Making films has motivated me to research and understand subjects I might never have explored otherwise. It’s a symbiotic relationship—my curiosity fuels my creative journey, which in turn drives more curiosity as I strive to authentically portray characters on screen.

Passion is my ultimate driving force. From the very beginning, my career has centered on creation. The joy of crafting compelling stories that can educate and entertain keeps me going. For me, filmmaking was never about money. I believe that with enough passion and diligence, financial success naturally follows as a byproduct of the creative within.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sheehy.tv
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheehytv/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sheehytv